[The Warlocks] have replaced The Velvet Underground and Spacemen 3 with The Jesus And Mary Chain and Spiritualized as the objects of their affections, and Surgery is significantly less interesting as a result. [Oct 2005, p.110]

Despite the starry cameos and production turns, Shine lacks a little lustre. [May 2008, p.94]

Pleasantly discreet, resolutely unengaging. [Oct 2005, p.107]

Curiously short on atmosphere. [Nov 2005, p.100]

While this second effort has its engaging moments, Leftwich has stuck dispiritingly close to his early template of delicate folk with hushed vocals and lyrics about bruised hearts and rain. [Sep 2016, p.75]

The guests are more intriguing than the material. [Dec 2002, p.152]

Sickly aspiring novelist turned singer-songwriter Mikel Jollett can knock out a powerful anthem, but his relentless yearning choruses and chiming guitar harmonies ring rather hollow as signifiers of emotion. [Jun 2011, p.77]

Repeated plays reveal little charm and less real humour. [Aug 2003, p.97]

Thomas' lyrics are too frequently overwraught. [Mar 2003, p.98]

Grand National lack Hot Chip's playful edge and by 'Joker and Clown,' thoughtful production is hitched to that last refuge of pop scoundrel--the Snow Patrol-style ballad. {Apr 2008, p.90]

"My Foolish Heart" is delivered with some delicacy, "Sunny Side Of The Street" is playful, and "Fly Me To the Moon: floats Rod's voice over synth strings and a lazy piano. Otherwise, stick with Sinatra. [Jan 2011, p.103]

For all the dazzling dynamics, much of it recalling the '90s from shoegaze to Sonic Youth, the writing leaves little lasting impression, and Brian Aubert's affected vocals drag things down. [Jul 2009, p.97]

It's largely composed of pretty humdrum strum and twang, defining The Feelies less as the missing link between The Modern Lovers and Vampire Weekend, more as the founders of '80s college rock ordinaire. [Jun 2011, p.82]

Deeply disappointing. [Jul 2003, p.114]

The likes of "Be Yourself" lack much of a dimension beyond 'Let's rock out!' [Aug 2005, p.105]

He falls well short thanks to a dated, home-cooked sound and and the earth-bound mundanity of his collaborators. [Nov 2004, p.119]

All round it makes for a slightly uncomfortable listen. [Apr 2010, p.90]

One Lupine Howl is already too much, thanks. [Feb 2002, p.111]

Too often his cluttered samples and constant fidgeting shatter [the] fragile spells. [Apr 2005, p.98]

A self-indulgent but sporadically compelling mess. [Jan 2006, p.102]

Only in Victoria Bergman's singing on "Sunbeams" do you hear any of their early shaky charm. [Apr 2006, p.113]

Not hopeless, but hopelessly self-indulgent. [Jul 2005, p.94]

It's an odd confection, part digitally-lush Spector-pop, part Dido-esque thirtysomething ennui. [Feb 2006, p.68]

Jigsaw finds the diminutive London rapper shorter on cheek than on her early singles, and the moments of mischief, when they come, ring a little hollow. [Jun 2009, p.90]

The veteran Frankfort duo's rather sterile approach to arty club bangers such as "divine" and "Regenerate" leaves them creatively stranded, scoring a hair-gel as on the VIVA channel. [Jun 2010, p.83]

"Never Too Late" sounds like an unhappy mix of Randy Newman and Arrested Development, and sometimes Franti sounds like a clap-happy Seal. [Jul 2003, p.130]

Keys hasn't the charisma to indulge in the inter-song banter here, which breaks up any soulful flow that might develop despite her sharp, hectoring vocals. [Jan 2006, p.108]

A song called 'Vietnam' only reinforces the all-around impression Lenny is 40 years too late. [Mar 2008, p.92]